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The Killer Elite

Made up of several of the world's best assassins, the Killer Elite live up to their names. It is unknown why these usually solitary killers decided to join forces, and unknown if they are still operate as a team. All of its members were first gathered together shortly after Neron's campaign to enslave Earth's super-villains (Underworld Unleashed; Justice League America #105) It is likely that some or all of these assassins sold their souls to Neron in exchange for some boon.

Deadshot and the Killer Elite competed against the Body Doubles for a contract from Requiem Inc., who wanted to kill a man named Richter. Deadshot surreptitiously sabotaged his team's victory because he was dating Body Double Carmen Leno at the time. (Body Doubles #1)

They were next seen when the Joker infected a host of super-villains with his mania. The Killer Elite laid siege to Iron Heights prison, but were beaten back by its warden, Gregory Wolfe, who killed Deadline. The rest were teleported away from there by Warp to the Keystone City Jail, where Deadshot also "Jokerized" Captain Boomerang. They were all brought into custody by the Flash. (Flash v.2 #179)

The group was led by Deadshot (who had long served in the Suicide Squad) and included Bolt (deceased Suicide Squad v.2 #3, returned Identity Crisis #1); Chiller, Deadline (who was killed by Warden Wolfe, Flash v.2 #179); and former League of Assassins member, Merlyn.

Deadshot	Deadline	Merlyn	Bolt	Chiller

NOTE: Two things seem off here. Deadshot more or less humiliated Deadline in Suicide Squad #65, and it is unlikey they'd work together after this. Also, in the Body Doubles issue Deadshot's personality is drastically altered. This should be considered apocryphal.

 Justice League America #105 (11.95)

   Body Doubles: New Years Evil #1 • Justice League America #34

Lab Rats

Created by John Byrne

Robert Quinlan is a gifted scientist to developed a virtual reality traning system for the military. On it's first combat scenario, however, all the troops linked to its mainframe perished. Presumably, the government then severed ties with Quinlan, who continued to develop the system. He built a secret facility located in Maryland simply known as “the Campus”; and for test subjects, Quinlan turned to the streets. He began recruiting teenagers to volunteer for training. Usually, the Lab Rats (as they refer to themselves) have nowhere else to go, and are easily persuaded. It's a dangerous life for these kids; several have perished in successive trials. Some however, excel. On their first recorded mission, the group (Wu, Alex, Dana, Poe and Gia) managed to short-circuit the system through sheer will-power. Gia, however, lost her life. In this virtual world, one's death is mirrored in reality. (Lab Rats #1)

After this trauma, Quinlan sent the group on a supposed vacation. Secretly, however, he had sent them to check up on his friend, Abigail Gooss. Mother Goose, as she was called had created the ultimate theme park, Wonderland. By employing genetic engineers, Gooss gave life to the dragons, trolls and fairies needed to populate her artifical world. The Lab Rats discovered that the creatures were sentient and that Gooss was the mindless pawn of her evil associates. In truth, these men had hoped to profit from the death of innocents and beasts alike in Wonderland. The kids freed Gooss, who tripped Wonderland's self destruct mechanism and all the artificial beings died. Sadly, the group lost Alex on this mission when he was burned by a dragon.

Other known members of the team include the injured-listed Trilby and newcomer, Isaac. These kids also ventured into the future where they confronted and evil tyrant Superman, and they explore an alien spacecraft that seemed to exist in different dimensions and eras at the same time. At the end of their last mission all the surviving Lab Rats were killed. Quinlan, summed up his feelings about their sacrifice: “We find another bunch of Lab Rats and we start over.” The childrens' sacrifice meant nothing to their superiors.

What was the end to this story?

This series was creator-owned, so DC does not have the rights to publish them without Byrne. But why would they want to?

 Lab Rats #1

Lab Rats, 8 issues (2002-03)

The L.A.W. (Lethal Assault Weapons)

+ Charlton Comics Action Heroes

Created by Dick Giordano & ??

Blue Beetle	Nightshade	Peacemaker	Judomaster	Captain Atom

This group of heroes represents the characters formerly published by Charlton Comics in the 1960s and later purchased by DC in 1983. (when their co-creator, Dick Giordano was a DC editor). The characters first officially appeared at DC in the Crisis on Infinite Earths maxi-series, but most of them had their official DC in-continuity debuts shortly thereafter. Only the Charlton history of Judomaster and Tiger remained intact; the other heroes were completely reinvented. The L.A.W. #4 contains flashbacks to the W.W.II era, and DCU Heroes Secret Files places Judomaster's debut at 1941.

Before the formation of the L.A.W., there was one grouping of these heroes in Justice League Quarterly #14. This team included Captain Atom, Blue Beetle, Sarge Steel, Nightshade, Peter Cannon and Judomaster II.

The L.A.W. was formed when Avatar (formerly Judomaster's partner Tiger) kidnapped the JLA. During this adventure, Dr. Fate transformed Nightshade and a new Peacemaker debuted. It was later revealed that Tiger split from Judomaster after W.W.II and became bitter towards his old mentor. (#4) Captain Atom donned his "Kingdom Come" costume, which was inspired by his original Charlton look, in L.A.W. #6. At the resolution of the case, the members intended to continue on as a team, but they were never seen grouped again.

These Action Heroes were also grouped together in Kingdom Come #1 (which was also the first appearance of a female Judomaster).

The Charlton heroes were also the inspiration for the legendary characters of The Watchmen. They were changed when writer Alan Moore wanted to take the story in a different direction.

The Blue Beetle was recently killed by Maxwell Lord. (DC Countdown) In the ensuing Crisis, Nightshade joined a group of mystics to form the Shadowpact (Day of Vengeance #1) and Judomaster was killed by Bane (Infinite Crisis #7) The Question later died of cancer (52 #38) and was succeeded by Renee Montoya. A new female Judomaster joined the Birds of Prey and the original Judomaster's son, Tommy, joined Checkmate.

Judomaster actually made an appearance prior to the L.A.W. #1 in Guy Gardner: Warrior #29. This was, however, a "joke panel" set in the Warriors bar. In it, Thunderbolt invites Judomaster to join a limbo contest going on in the back of the bar, to which Judomaster replies "I've had my fill of Limbo." —Thanks to Eric Singer

 The L.A.W. #1 (September 1999)

 
The L.A.W., 6 issues (1999)

Individuals:
Blue Beetle, 24 issues (1986-88)
Captain Atom, 57 issues (1987-91)
Suicide Squad (featuring Nightshade), 66 issues (1987-92)
The Question, 36 issues (1987-90)
Question Quarterly, 5 issues (1990-92)
Peter Cannon, Thunderbolt, 12 issues (1992)

Charlton books:
Americomics, 6 issues (1983-84, Americomics)
Blue Beetle, 60 issues (1939-50, Fox Features, featured Dan Garrett)
Blue Beetle, issues #18-21 (1955, Formerly The Thing, Charlton Comics, featured Ted Kord)
Blue Beetle "v.1", 5 issues (1967-68, Charlton Comics, featured Dan Garrett)
Captain Atom, 12 issues (1965-67)
Charlton Bullseye, 5 issues (1976)
Charlton Bullseye, 2 issues (1981)
Judomaster, 10 issues (1966-67)

 Dark Mark > Charlton • Sarge Steel

League of Ancients

In 1043 BCE, after Atlantis had long been under the sea, a the blond-haired girl named Gamemnae was expelled from the city because of superstition. The girl was raised amidst sorcery and in the year 1020 BCE, Gamemnae returned to Atlantis to raise the city above the waters. She became their queen, and in order to ensure her reign, she gained godlike powers by magically binding her soul to the continent. This bond could not be broken unless the continent itself was destroyed. (JLA #75)

Gamemnae eventually met the statesman, Rama Khan, who had traveled from Jarhanpur to Atlantis seeking allies. He was instantly ensnared by Gamemnae, and the pair led the nation to greatness, Atlantis' Obsidian Age. But the appearance of Khan "ruling" by her side was merely Gamemnae's magicks at work. (#70)

In 1015 BCE, their empire was invaded—by itself! As part of a magical contingency plan, all of 21st century Atlantis was shunted 3,000 years into the past. (JLA: Our Worlds at War) This plan was enacted by its modern day ruler, Aquaman. When these Atlanteans arrived in the past, they did not expect to find the city above water, and many citizens suffocated in the air. Aquaman led the survivors to the water, and Gamemnae trapped him in a magical pool. Beneath the waves, the remainder of Aquaman's people (including his wife, Mera) were enslaved. (JLA #72)

Gamemnae realized the threat posed by Aquaman's allies, should they come for him. So in 1004 BCE, the witch crafted a dire "prophesy" (voiced through Rama Khan) which claimed that Atlantis would be threatened by seven destroyers. In order to arm themselves, she and Rama Khan recruited heroes from across the globe (even rival societies) to form a multicultural League of Ancients:

• The Annointed One, a powerhouse Hebrew creature who rivaled Superman and could emit sonic waves from his mouth.
• Manitou Raven, a North American magician. His people were the ancestors of modern day Apache people.
• Sela, the insatiable African warrior woman. She worshipped a trio of gods.
• Tezumak, the armored warrior of a brutal society (perhaps Olmec). The power from his gods required child sacrifice.
• The Whaler, who weilded a mystical green energy. (JLA #70, JLA/JSA Secret Files)

Of course the League knew nothing of Aquaman or his special imprisonment, nor that these supposed "destroyers" were likely to be Aquaman's allies from the future. Manitou Raven and Tezumak were chosen to travel to the 21st century for a preemptive attack to destroy the JLA. (JLA #66) They failed, and instead led the JLA back to ancient Atlantis in search of Aquaman. (JLA #68) The JLA quickly discovered Aquaman's essence trapped in the pool (#70) and located Mera and the remainder of her people. (#72)

Gamemnae's power proved too much on her native soil, and the Ancients succeeded in slaying the entire JLA. This battle turned the tides in Atlantis, though. Manitou Raven had his doubts all along about Gamemnae. In the end, he sided with Green Lantern end her tyranny and save the lives of the JLA. Raven used Kyle Rayner's heart as a sacrifice to power a spell that preserved the JLA's souls. It also cast a containment spell around Atlantis, effectively trapping Gamemnae inside. (#74)

Three millennia later, the JLA's successors found Raven, traveled back to ancient Atlantis and broke the spell; the JLA, Aquaman, and Gamemnae were all released. Aquaman then made the fateful decision to re-sink Atlantis. This process cut Gamemnae off from her power for good. (#75)

Though the Ancients themselves were not without battle scars, some may have survived. Both Rama Khan and the Whaler were literally absorbed by Gamemnae herself. (#74-75) She intended to do the same to the other League members; the Anointed One was seen battling her just before she was imprisoned by Manitou Raven. Ancient Atlantis fell once again beneath the waves, so if they survived, they likely returned home.

Raven and his wife, Dawn, elected to accompany the JLA back to the 21st century. (#75) Raven went on to join the JLA but soon perished in battle. (Justice League Elite #8) Dawn has since taken up the "Manitou" mantle and joined the JLA for a brief time as well. (#10)

Tezumak's fate tied him to Atlantis once again centuries later. Some time after his death, his armored hand was used to protect a powerful talisman. (Metal Men v.3 #1)

Rama Khan (which is a title rather than a name) was succeeded in his country, Jarhanpur, down to the modern day. His descendant fought the JLA as well. (JLA #62-64)

The Whaler's power seemed very much like that of the Green Lantern. However, the mystical Starheart which eventually powered Alan Scott did not fall to Earth until the first century BCE.

JLA#70 (Late December 2002)

Justice League Elite • Metal Men

League of Assassins

I can do no more justice than the Wikipedia entry.

Originally, the League of Assassins were a part of Ra's al Ghul's global empire. To enter the League, one must carry out a successful assassination. The price of failure, of course, was death. The original leader of the League was Dr. Ebenezer Darrk (1st app. Detective #406). After a falling out with al Ghul, Darrk kidnapped Ra's' daughter, Talia and was killed by ??. Under its next leader, the Sensei, the League began to operate independently of Ra's organization. Ra's had the Sensei killed for trying to split off from his organization. (??) The League's current status is unknown, especially since al Ghul's death as well. (??)

NOTE: In pre-Crisis continuity, Ra's may have masterminded the Sensei's assassination of carnival owner Kathy Kane (Batwoman). In post-Crisis continuity, her niece, Bette Kane (Flamebird of the Titans) has referred to her as alive. (Beast Boy #??)

Major known Assassins include:

• Hook (no other name known): The man who killed Boston Brand (Deadman). Later killed by the Sensei when Brand's twin brother Cleveland posed as Boston.

• The Bronze Tiger: Ben Turner was kidnapped and brainwashed by the Sensei to become the Bronze Tiger (he was later deprogrammed by Amanda Waller (as revealed in Suicide Squad #38, 2.90).

• Meryln, an archer who quit after his failure rather than face death. (1st app.: Justice League of America #94)

• Shrike, who a ran a "Vengeance Academy" that training young men to be ninjas and potential league members. (Robin: Year One #3) Was killed by Two-Face (#4)

• David Cain, father of Cassandra Cain (Batgirl III), by Lady Shiva herself. Cassandra has gone on to lead the League.

 Strange Adventures #215

League of Super-Assassins

Legion of Super-Villains

L.E.G.I.O.N.

The L.E.G.I.O.N.'s history and membership is covered in great detail in the L.E.G.I.O.N. section of the Legion module.

 L.E.G.I.O.N. '89 #1

L.E.G.I.O.N., 70 issues (1989-94)
R.E.B.E.L.S., 17 issues (1994-96)
R.E.B.E.L.S. v.2, current (2009-)

The Legion of Doom

On Television

The Legion of Doom appeared in all 16 episodes of the Challenge of the Super Friends cartoon (1978-79). Their roster included many of the heroes' arch rivals with one obscure Golden Age villain, Giganta, and a greatly restyled Toyman:

1. Bizarro
2. Black Manta
3. Braniac
4. Captain Cold
5. Cheetah
6. Giganta
7. Grodd
8. Lex Luthor
9. Riddler
10. Scarecrow
11. Sinestro
12. Solomon Grundy
13. Toyman

There were several more episodes which were unaired in the United States. They were released in 2009 on the DVD collection Super Friends: The Lost Episodes.

The Super Friends' successor on TV, the Justice League animated series also featured a group of villains led by Luthor, but they were called the Injustice League, not the Legion of Doom.

The Legion of Doom also makes a 15-second cameo on the animated show “Family Guy.” The episode aired 13 May 2007 and was titled “It Takes a Village Idiot, and I Married One.” Here are some screen shots:

 
 

Low resolution images © 2007 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

In Comics

The above-mentioned team never appeared in the Super Friends comic, though some of the villains did individually.

In mainstream comics, the Legion of Doom were assembled by Christopher Priest at the end of the Extreme Justice series. Brainwave II led the group and recruited Killer Frost first. (Extreme Justice #14) They were based in the Florida swamps. Soon they added an android duplicate of Gorilla Grodd and Houngan (#16) To round it out, they stole the corpse of Major Force (Houngan was able to "reforge" his soul to his body) and added two of the Madmen. (#17) Brainwave was ultimately stopped by Maxima's mental abilities. He had been overtaken by guilt of his father's evil. The other members were captured. (#18) No group has reformed with this name since.

Also, Alex Ross adapted the design of the cartoon Legion of Doom headquarters for the Gulag prison in Kingdom Come.

Extreme Justice #14

Extreme Justice #16-18

Super Friends Home Page

The Legion of Substitute Heroes

Stand-Alone Profile

The Legion of Super-Heroes

The Legion is covered in great detail in the Legion section of this site.

The Legion of Super-Pets

Stand-Alone Profile

The Legion of Super-Villains

+ Legion of Super-Rejects + League of Super-Assassins

Stand-Alone Profile

Linear Men

 The Linear Men are covered thoroughly at The Unofficial Linear Men Web Site.

This site's author, Adam Arnold, responded as follows when I asked about the continuity of Rip Hunter after the Crisis:

Dan Jurgens did completely re-invent Rip Hunter after Crisis when he was introduced as a key figure to help Booster Gold. Rip Hunter later got his own mini-series called Time Masters where there were several guest appearances by Tomahawk, Dan Hunter (Rip Hunter's cousin), Booster Gold, Animal Man, Swamp Thing, and many others. Did others stick with it? Yes, Dan Jurgens later picked up Rip Hunter again and put him in the Linear Men. But, after Zero Hour he got totally screwed up when Dan wrote a story about Rip Hunter and how he joined the Linear Men. It was totally out of character and made Rip Hunter into his pre-Crisis counterpart, which seems to be the one who exists now because of past appearances of him in the Forgotten Heroes segments of Resurrection Man.

See his site for annotations.

Armageddon 2001 #1

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Appendix